The world market has come to expect a dependable supply of the highest quality rice from U.S. rice farmers. Through the efforts of American growers, rice farming has become a precise science involving specialized technology like lasers and computers, as well as special planting and harvesting equipment and methods.

Successful rice farming no longer depends on heavy seasonal rainfall. Today, machinery creates ideal fields that enable uniform flooding and controlled draining. Laser guides help position water control levees for optimal results—an even covering of 2-3 inches during growing season. Fertilizers used to ensure healthy, consistent yields are broadcasted by airplanes.

U.S. rice growers put soils that would be unsuitable for most agriculture to good use. Heavy clay soils that are ill suited to most crops retain water very well, making them perfect for rice. Flooded fields do an excellent job of preventing erosion and the loss of dry topsoil from winds. New irrigation techniques in use significantly reduce water requirements.

When rice is mature, water is drained from the fields and sophisticated combines cut the rice and separate the grain from the stalks. Drying facilities utilize forced warm air to gradually reduce the moisture content to a level best suited to storage before it moves to the milling process.